The Push for Citywide B5 Bioheat® Fuel Continues

- 4:59 pm - June 30th, 2016

City Council Member Costa Constantinides has the backing of New York City’s environmental groups and Oilheat industry as he continues to rally support for Int. 642, which would increase the standard biodiesel component of our city’s Bioheat® fuel from B2 (2% biodiesel) to B5 (5% biodiesel) and eventually to B20.

The bill, proposed by Constantinides himself, has previously been covered in the pages of our Hot Ideas! newsletter (see Updates #112, #116 and #117), and earlier this month, the story was picked up by the Queens Gazette.

At a rally on May 25, the Gazette reports, Constantinides said: “This bill would help reduce pollution, clean our air quality, and improve our public health. The Council, administration, environmental advocates, and building owners who would need to implement this policy are in agreement that this is an important and doable step in our efforts to combat climate change. Increasing biofuel in our home heating oil is a tested solution that will help bring us closer toward our goal of reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050. I look forward to bringing this bill to a vote very soon.”

Also on hand was Demos Demopolous, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 553, the union that represents many New York Oil Heating Association (NYOHA) members. Demopolous did a great job framing Int. 642 as common sense legislation that any New Yorker can get behind, when he said: “Our members live here and breathe the same air as everyone else. We are proud of our work keeping New Yorkers warm every winter and are proud to partner with Council Member Constantinides in protecting public health.”

The members of NYOHA agree and look forward to providing our fellow New Yorkers with clean, green Bioheat® fuel for many seasons to come.